|
EXCERPTS FROM CHAPTER
1:
OPEN-MINDEDNESS
Excerpt 1: "According
to F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The test of a first-rate intelligence
is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same
time, and still retain the ability to function.3" This
observation is directly related to the process of developing
open-mindedness, for as we take in new information; our existing
beliefs and judgments naturally remain rooted in our minds. We
need to be willing to at least consider new information that
doesn't fit our established beliefs, without immediately judging
it to be incorrect, or simply tuning it out."
(3 Francis Scott Key
Fitzgerald, 1896-1940)
Excerpt 2: "At
the deepest level, there probably isn't a person alive today that
does not in some way long to have some insight into the real meaning
of their life. However, to gain any insight at all requires that
a person be willing to step outside of the alleged safety
of the 'known'. This takes courage, and requires open-mindedness
open-mindedness as well, because it often leads to situations in
which one is exposed to new concepts that may be contrary to their
traditional religious or spiritual philosophy."
Excerpt 3: "One
way to develop open-mindedness is to begin observing yourself as
you are being exposed to new concepts or ideas. To do this, you
essentially take the role of a witness to the process, as well
as being an active participant in it. While it may sound challenging,
it really is not. All that is required is that you actively pay
attention to what you are reading and hearing, and then acknowledge
your judgments one-by-one as they crop up.
If you are uncertain what "witnessing
yourself" means, think back to a time in your life when you
may have said something to yourself like, "my mind is playing
tricks on me." If you live under the common premise that your
mind is who you are, then ponder this for a moment: Who is it
that made that statement? Did the mind make that statement
about itself, or is there some other entity that stands outside
of the mind at all times? The answer is that your mind or brain
may be the command center of the body, but the commander is
actually an awareness you have of yourself, which is situated outside
of the brain or mind."
Excerpt 4: "From
what I have discovered so far, we simply cannot know for certain
what is 'true' and what is 'not true', because absolute truth
is an elusive commodity. There is no single right way, there
are in fact many ways. Each of us has such a limited perspective
on the cosmos that we simply cannot say without reservation that
something is absolutely right or absolutely wrong."
Excerpt 5: "The
reality is that individual religious dogma cannot prove its own
truth is actually the truth, nor can it prove that another
religion's truth is not the truth. Once you open your mind
to this fact, it becomes easier and easier to be more open-minded
about spirituality in general."
|
